I met H+M just prior to the start of the Pandemic, when I took part in a wedding trade show here in Squamish. They were one of the couples that visited our booth, and put their entry into our contest box – ultimately winning an engagement session! As H+M are both avid hikers and visit the Whistler area frequently, we met up at Green Lake to capture their engagement.
H+M were one of the many couples affected by the onset of Covid-19, and their initial Grouse Mountain wedding planning had to be postponed, and then postponed… again.
So, what did they do? They pivoted! They opted then to get married in an intimate morning ceremony, surrounded by their parents, in the Whistler forest, and I was so lucky to be invited to capture them declaring their love to each other, and committing their lives to each other.
With their vows being declared, and the rings being exchanged, they toasted each other, and their families, and celebrated!
Once the world shifted back into normalcy, H+M then planned a beautiful celebration, atop Grouse Mountain. It was full of friends and family, laughter, dancing, and so many beautiful speeches and toasts. It was the proper send-off for these two very special people as they start their married lives together.
Despite the rain, H+M had a beautiful day, with a friend playing the cello during the ceremony, and a stroll around the mountain with their wedding party, including a stop over to see the Grizzly Bear exhibit (that was a first for me!).
Cheers to you two, and I can’t wait to see what life brings to you!
Q: Your story – the Who, What, Where, and When – did you meet each other?
M and I met in 2015 after we both (independently) joined the UBC Varsity Outdoor Club. We had both signed up for a run through Garibaldi Provincial Park from the Cheakamus Lake trailhead to the Rubble Creek trailhead. During that event, we spent most of the run chatting and getting to know each other, and instantly connected. The next week, we went on a run to Norvan Falls, and then kayaking in Deep Cove the following week, and then North Shore mountain biking the week after that… we have been together ever since that first VOC event and call that date our anniversary. We just celebrated 7 years together.
Q: What kinds of hobbies do you enjoy together, or what is one of your favourite memories together?
In 2019, we bought a van and did a 2 month road trip through the western US and Canada. We explored so many incredible national and state parks. We also decided for sure that we wanted to get married while on this trip 🙂 We love the outdoors, especially trail running, skiing, biking, canoeing, and camping. We also love traveling, going to concerts, playing board games, cooking and baking, hosting dinner parties, and spending time with family and friends.
Q: Tell me about your favourite thing about each other.
Our favourite thing about each other is that we are both always up for adventure. We have a lot in common but we also have some differences, and these complementary personality traits make us stronger as a couple.
Q: Who were your vendors, if you had any (hair, make-up, catering, venue, wedding officiant, planner, and any other shoutouts you’d like to make!)
Hair & make up by Andrea Salazar http://www.makeupbyasm.com
Venue & catering by Grouse Mountain https://www.grousemountain.com
Wedding officiant & DJ – Mike from Dynamic Weddings https://www.dynamicweddings.ca
